Current development in the mobility sector is driven by various trends such as electrification, automation, individualization and safety. A breakthrough of electrified powertrains relies on further range increases, which in turn require novel packaging concepts for the accommodation of larger energy storage systems and drastic reductions in vehicle masses. Powertrain concepts with use of safety-critical energy storage in particular require novel safety concepts for crash scenarios. The German Aerospace Center (DLR) addresses these challenges within the research meta-project “Next Generation Car” (NGC), which serves as multiplier for DLR system and technology competences by networking and integrating research institutes, infrastructures and demonstrators in the transport sector based on three vehicle concepts: Urban Modular Vehicle (UMV), Safe Light Regional Vehicle (SLRV) and the Interurban Vehicle (IUV).